Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER) organized a National Conference on Emerging Trends in Healthcare and Multidisciplinary Studies (NCETHMS’24) on the 20th and 21st of July, in hybrid mode, with the aim to bring together distinguished scientists, academicians, medical practitioners, and expert scientists from various fields on a common platform to share ideas and benefit the research community. This conference was yet another endeavour by MAHER towards fostering research culture and promoting research excellence among faculty members, scholars and students. The conference featured a diverse range of activities, including invited lectures, plenary sessions, panel discussions, oral and poster presentations, and workshops. These covered various topics within healthcare and multidisciplinary studies, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience for all attendees.
NCETHMS’24 was meticulously organized by the organizing committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. N. Arunagirinathan, Dean Research, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research ably supported by Dr. Pushpa Nagini Sripada, Co-Organizing Chairman, Director- Center for Online Education, Dr Pavithra A, Organizing Secretary, Associate Dean- Consultancy, and Dr. D. Nalini, Associate Professor and Scientist, Department of Research.
11 Preconference Workshops in 4 different campuses focusing on emerging trends in medical fields, healthcare industry, and academic research took place on the 18th and 19th of July.
Pre-conference Workshop topics and venues:
- Hands-on Training in Real-Time PCR: Conducted by Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute (MMCHRI), Kanchipuram.
- Real-Time PCR and its Applications in Biomedical Research: Conducted by Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital (MADCH), Maduravoyal.
- Real-Time PCR Techniques: Conducted by MAHER.
- Simulation-Based Emergency Care: Conducted by MMCHRI.
- Digital Dentistry: Conducted by MADCH.
- The EPOCH of Diabetes: Conducted by Arulmigu Meenakshi College of Nursing (AMCON).
- Immersive Virtual Reality in Physiotherapy Practice – Current Updates: Conducted by FPT, MAHER.
- Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy: Emerging Trends: Conducted by FOT, MAHER.
- Hands-on Training: Hematology Blood Analysis Techniques: Conducted by FAHS, MAHER.
- Hands-on Workshop: Elevating your Research – Transforming Ideas into Results: Conducted by FHS, MAHER.
- Decoding the Science of Yoga: Conducted by FYST, MAHER.
790 enthusiastic participants attended and benefitted from these workshops.
Highlights from Conference-NCETHMS’24
On July 20th , 2024, the conference was inaugurated by Dr. Samiran Panda, Formerly Additional Director-General of ICMR, New Delhi, ICMR-Dr. A.S. Paintal Distinguished Scientist Chair, Editor-in-Chief: The Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), New Delhi
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. N. Gopukumar, Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, on the importance of multidisciplinary education in shaping future healthcare professionals.
This was followed by Plenary session with talks by Dr. Samiran Panda on Publications in Healthcare: Scope and Challenges and Dr. Sylvia Fernandez Rao, Scientist ‘E’, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad on the topic Study designs in Healthcare Research.
On the second day of the conference (21st July, 2024), plenary sessions with talks by eminent scientists Dr. Priya Abraham, Formerly Director, ICMR – National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, Professor, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Dr. R. Srinivasan, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), DOTE Campus, Chennai and Dr. C. Sheela Sasikumar, Managing Partner SS Clini Research LLP & Director (R&E) Dr. RK Diabetic Foot and Podiatry Institute, Chennai were organised which was attended by 400 participants online and offline.
This was followed by a very interesting Panel Discussion moderated by Professor Dr. Nagendra Boopathy Senguttuvan, Department of Cardiology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, on “Multidisciplinary Approach to Healthcare Research: Challenges and Solutions,” featuring esteemed panelists:
- Professor Dr. Rajkumar, Department of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute (MMCHRI), Kanchipuram
- Dr. R.Meena, Officer, Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Ministry of AYUSH
- Dr. Luke Elizabeth Hanna, Scientist ‘E’ & Head, Department of HIV/AIDS, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai
- Dr. P. Ananthanarayanan, Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital (MADCH), Chennai
Participation Profile:
NCETHMS’24 had registered a staggering 1040 participants from all over India.
23% of the participants were from outside colleges and universities from various parts of the country.
- The conference attracted participants from various institutes, including Mount Zion Medical College, Saveetha Medical College, and Vellore Institute of Technology, among others.
- Participation was diverse, with a significant number of attendees being faculty members, researchers, and students.
About the Scientific Sessions
Scientific sessions with 565 oral and poster presentations in hybrid mode were organized in 4 venues: MMCHRI
The sessions were chaired by over 80 chairpersons from various institutions and disciplines judging the oral and e-poster presentations. 130 awards were given away during the valedictory ceremony.
Sponsorship and Support:
Renowned organisations such as Indraprastha Medical Corporation, New Delhi, and Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Siemens Healtheneers, Emcure Pharma Limited, Sri Sai Consulting and Mechanical Works, MG Vellore, Rehab Store, Orange Child Development Centre, Akkara Foundation, BPO Trac, Elshaddai Dental and Surgicals, YSP Scientific, and APT Dental Distributors have rendered support to this conference through sponsorships.
Feedback on Conference
Detailed Feedback Analysis: NCETHMS’24
The feedback from participants of the NCETHMS’24 conference provides valuable insights into the strengths of the event and areas where improvements can be made. Here’s an in-depth analysis of the feedback:
Overall Satisfaction
The conference was met with a largely positive response:
- Excellent: 49% of attendees rated the conference as excellent.
- Good: 47% considered the event good.
- Fair: A small fraction (4%) felt the conference was fair, indicating some room for improvement.
Research Content
Participants found the research content highly valuable:
- Highly Significant: The majority of attendees rated the research content as highly significant.
- Significant: The remaining participants found the content significant, showcasing the conference’s success in delivering relevant and impactful research discussions.
- Moderate: No attendees rated the research content as moderate, which underscores the high quality of presentations and discussions.
Plenary Sessions
Attendees highly valued the keynote speeches, with Dr. Samiran Panda’s session being notably impactful.
The plenary sessions were well-received, with feedback indicating:
- Excellent: 40.1% of participants rated the plenary sessions as excellent.
- Good: 51.8% of attendees found the sessions to be good.
- Fair: A smaller portion (6.6%) rated these sessions as fair.
- Poor: Only 1.5% of participants considered the plenary sessions to be poor, highlighting the overall effectiveness of these sessions.
Food, Accommodation, and Venues
Feedback on logistical aspects such as food, accommodation, and venue organization was positive:
- Excellent: 47.4% of participants rated these aspects as excellent.
- Good: 48.9% found them to be good.
- Fair: A small percentage (3.6%) felt these areas were fair, suggesting that while the basics were well-handled, there might be minor adjustments needed for future events.
Conference Session Structure
The structure of the conference sessions received praise:
- Highly Satisfied: Most participants expressed high satisfaction with the way sessions were structured.
- Room for Improvement: Despite the overall positive feedback, some attendees noted that improvements could be made, particularly in venue flow and the variety of session topics.
Highlights from Attendee Comments
- Inspiring Keynotes: Participants particularly appreciated the keynote addresses, which were described as thought-provoking and insightful. Dr. Samiran Panda’s session was singled out as especially impactful.
- Interactive Workshops: The hands-on workshops were a major highlight, allowing for peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving, which were widely praised.
- Valuable Connections: Attendees valued the networking opportunities, noting that the conference facilitated meaningful professional connections.
Areas for Improvement
While the feedback was predominantly positive, several areas were identified for enhancement:
- More Diverse Sessions: Participants expressed a desire for a broader range of session topics, ensuring a wider appeal and more comprehensive coverage of emerging trends.
- Enhanced Venue Layout: Some feedback indicated that the venue layout could be improved to better accommodate the flow of attendees and optimize the use of space.
- Expanded Networking Opportunities: While networking was appreciated, some attendees suggested that additional structured networking sessions or events could further enhance the experience.
- Time Management: Better management of session timings was recommended, as some participants felt that certain sessions ran over time or were not aligned perfectly with the overall schedule.
- Improved Food Options: The variety and quality of food were areas where a few attendees felt improvements could be made, suggesting more diverse and higher-quality offerings in future conferences.
Conclusion
The feedback from NCETHMS’24 attendees reflects a highly successful event, with constructive suggestions for further improvements. The organizers have the opportunity to build on this positive momentum by addressing the identified areas for enhancement, ensuring an even better experience for participants in future conferences.
The overwhelming response to NCETHMS’24 by industry experts, researchers, and educators stands as motivation to the Team MAHER to work towards transforming ideas into projects in medical and healthcare research, thereby contributing to the welfare of global society.
